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John Mavity, longtime director of the Stratford Cullitons, veteran firefighter and multi-sport star, died Wednesday at Stratford General Hospital.

The cause of death was not released, but Mavity had been battling cancer for some time. He was 57.

Mavity spent nearly three decades as a Stratford firefighter but he'll likely be remembered at least as much for his warm, endearing personality, his athletic achievements and his involvement through good times and bad with the Cullitons.

Mavity grew up in Stratford and was an exceptional hockey and baseball player. He played outfield for the 1974 championship Stratford Kraven Knits baseball team, was a stalwart with the Warriors -- before they became known as the Cullitons -- and at one time held the record for most goals scored by a defenceman at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

At Bowling Green, he played in front of future St. Louis Blues goaltender Mike Liut and was partnered with defenceman Ken Morrow, a member of the 1980 'Miracle On Ice' U.S. Olympic hockey team and four-time Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.

Mavity attended New York Rangers camp in 1978 after his career at Bowling Green ended, and was offered a spot with their IHL farm club in Toledo, which he declined.

"I decided it was time to move on," he recalled in a 2003 Beacon Herald story. "There wasn't a lot of demand back then for a 5'10", 180-pound defenceman."

Moving on for Mavity meant a career as a Stratford firefighter, a job he held for 27 years.

But he never strayed far from the hockey world and spent years as a board member of the Cullitons, where he helped shape the franchise into the team it is today.

Cullitons president Dan Mathieson said Mavity's warmth and humour will be sorely missed.

"John touched a lot of lives, whether it was in hockey or through his family or as a well-known firefighter in our community," he said. "He always had a kind word, he was extremely supportive and a quick wit. He could make everyone feel great just by walking in the room because he was always such a happy guy and he'd pick people up when they were down. He'd do anything for you."

Mathieson added that Cullitons players will wear black armbands during this coming weekend's games in honour of Mavity.

A distraught Dennis Schooley, who had been a friend since childhood, said Mavity was a "great person, a great friend, a great athlete and everything that goes with a good person.

"John was a real good friend for a long time. We played baseball and hockey together for decades, actually. We played some minor ball, through junior and senior for years and years. He was a great player."

Schooley, who played for and managed the Stratford Hillers for years, said Mavity was one of the funniest people he'd ever met.

"He was always good with a joke. I don't know anyone who didn't like John. He was one of those guys who was liked to the nth degree."

Visitation will take place Monday, Feb. 4 from 2-8 p.m. at the W.G. Young Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at the William Allman Arena, Stratford on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m.